This time last year, convinced she would never find work again, mum-of-four Mary had treated herself to a manicure

Unemployed and struggling to find work, Mary Trimarco was beginning to think she’d never get off benefits and earn her own living.

“I was applying for job after job but getting nowhere,” says Mary, 51, who has multiple sclerosis.

“I had worked in offices for years and had taught IT but I became convinced people were worried about taking on a disabled person with long-term health problems.

"It was so soul-destroying.”

This time last year, convinced she would never find work again, mum-of-four Mary had treated herself to a manicure.

“I was sitting there looking at my pretty nails and realised how good something that simple made me feel.

"It suddenly dawned on me that doing that for other people may be a way for me to earn a living.”

Scraping together her savings, Mary found a course in Poole, Dorset, to learn the art of manicures and pedicures.

“It was expensive but so worth it. The only problem then was that I didn’t have the confidence to make it happen.”

Thankfully, Mary had already been referred to Pluss, a group which delivers the Government’s Work Choice programme designed to help people with disabilities get back into work.

“My assigned officer was absolutely fantastic when I told her my idea.

"She really helped me believe in myself. She gave me ideas on how to get the business up and running.

"I was able to bounce thoughts off her and get feedback and solid advice.”

Mary particularly liked the idea that she could take her skills and offer them to fellow MS sufferers at the MS Therapy Centre in Warminster, Wiltshire, where she volunteers.

“Knowing how a simple manicure had made me feel so much better about myself, I thought it was a chance to give something back to the centre which is so supportive to so many people including myself.”

The centre let Mary take over a room to do treatments for people with MS and older people.

“I had to keep investing money to start with and bought a trolley for all my products and a pedicure stool.

"Thankfully I drive and although I can’t walk long distances I am mobile. It means I can visit people in their homes too.”

In June, six months after having her brainwave, Mary started trading as Nailzique.

“It has been such a steep learning curve but I’m getting there,” she says.

“The paperwork and accounts I find easy but it can be hard to build up a client base.

"Word of mouth is going well and I have set up a Facebook page. I was in to all the social media beforehand so I knew what to do.”

Perfecting her manicure and pedicure skills has taken time though.

“It’s important to keep on top of all the latest trends and styles as well as finding the right products to use,” she says.

At times being self-employed is hard.

“It takes a lot of energy to keep building up the business but I knew that was the case before I started. Some days, ­particularly in the beginning, I wondered whether I had done the right thing but now business is building up and I see the benefits. I am far more confident and can see a real future for myself,” she adds.

GOING IT ALONE

If you have a great business idea there’s lots of help to be had out there.

Working Links (www.workinglinks.co.uk) helps and supports people who face significant challenges and barriers, such as those who have been unemployed for a long time or former offenders, lone parents and older workers.

Pluss (www.pluss.org.uk) offers the Work Choice programme which is designed to help people with disabilities get back into work. They provide tailored support.

Check out www.gov.uk/starting-up-a-business which can provide you with advice on everything from business plans to recruiting staff.

The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme (www.princes-trust.org.uk) supports ­unemployed 18 to 30-year-olds with their sights set on being their own boss.

They have grants and advice on offer.

If like Mary you are self-employed and disabled you can get support through the Access to Work scheme which can pay for 100% of any additional costs in work that someone may have because of their ­disability.

It can’t help with business set-up costs though. Find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/accesstowork.

Anyone on Jobseekers Allowance may be eligible for the New Enterprise ­Allowance which will give you a mentor to develop a business plan and you can apply for a start-up loan.

You’ll also continue to receive benefits for 26 weeks while you’re working on setting up your business.